No time like present for young QBs

Updated 12:05 am, Wednesday, September 5, 2012

You won't find many lists ranking Alex Smith among the NFL's top quarterbacks, and you figure he doesn't mind so much. Having survived the Peyton Manning flirtation, a horde of offensive coordinators and the wrath of impatient 49ers fans, he stands for stability, accomplishment and a sense of standing above the fray.

That makes him a rare NFL quarterback, indeed.

This is shaping up to be the most volatile season for quarterbacks in the league's long history. Security is a myth in most locales. Untested draft picks, once spotted holding clipboards on the sidelines, are thrown right into the fire. And there's plenty of controversy to go around.

Scanning the story lines:

The Prodigy: As Manning carved out an epic career in Indianapolis, there were times when his pocket presence and throwing style reminded longtime Colts observers of Johnny Unitas. Now there's Andrew Luck, who once idolized Manning and brings the same improvisational brilliance to the line of scrimmage.

Luck struck observers as a seasoned veteran from the moment he showed up in training camp, and when asked by Sports Illustrated last week if anything surprised him, he answered, "Not much. Can't really think of anything."

The Unitas-Manning-Luck progression will read like fine literature in time, but for the moment, the Colts' offensive line looks weak, unable to save Luck from a serious pounding. That's where his toughness comes in, and his refusal to be ordinary. With Reggie Wayne and Stanford sidekick Coby Fleener among the targets, Luck will have his moments.

The Renaissance Man:Robert Griffin III was an honor student at Baylor, wrapping up his studies in three years. He comes from a great family, speaks eloquently, gains admirers instantly. His hands are the size of encyclopedias, his exhibition accuracy has been sharp, and as a former world-class hurdler, he'll gain significant yardage on the ground.

If only every player on the Redskins' roster had this Heisman Trophy winner's resume. This is a deeply flawed roster, and like Luck, Griffin is in for a test of his physical and emotional well-being. Count on a fair-to-middling season but some choice clips for the highlight reel, because Griffin will be working with accomplished receivers. "I talked to Pierre (Garcon) and Santana (Moss)," Wayne told reporters when the Colts were in Washington for an exhibition game, "and they both love RG3. If they love him, that's good enough for me."

And that's not all: Luck and Griffin are just two of the five rookie quarterbacks getting a start in an opener, joining Cleveland's Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State), Seattle's Russell Wilson (Wisconsin) and Miami's Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M). Until this season, dating back to the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, there had not been more than two such starters.

Aaron Rodgers, who spent what seemed like an eternity backing up Brett Favre in Green Bay, must feel a hint of jealousy. This go-for-broke trend became conspicuous in 2008, when rookies Joe Flacco (Baltimore) and Matt Ryan (Atlanta) each led his team into the playoffs, and it gained momentum with the Jets' Mark Sanchez in 2009 and the Rams' Sam Bradford in 2010. But it was Cam Newton's record-shattering performance last year, with Carolina, that removed all doubt (along with Andy Daltonleading Cincinnati into the playoffs). If you're willing to risk a draft choice and a huge financial commitment to a quarterback, forget the trial period - throw him out there right now.

It used to be cool: Was there a sweeter combination than Drew Brees, the city of New Orleans and the Super Bowl three seasons ago? You couldn't help but get swept into that story. Now the Saints are dealing with the wretched aftermath of a bounty scandal, complete with suspensions and a dismantled coaching staff, and Brees has been particularly vigilant in his claims that the NFL's sanctions were excessive. It won't do him much good to maintain that stance. And it's a long road back to the top.

Forget the money: The 49ers are watching this one closely. Despite the signing of Matt Flynn, who threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns against Detroit in his one start for Green Bay last season, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll seemed to favor Wilson from the start - and he was handed the job outright after some sensational exhibition performances.

Wilson, a third-round draft choice who took Wisconsin to last season's Rose Bowl, has a great arm and runs not out of desperation, but with a purpose. His personality has charmed everyone in sight. This is a risky move by Carroll - youth over experience - but that's the way of today's NFL. (In Tennessee, second-year man Jake Locker was given the keys ahead of Matt Hasselbeck.)

Tumblin' tumbleweeds: Things are just a mess in the Arizona desert. In the wake of a mistake-prone exhibition season, Kevin Kolb was labeled "A Great Organizational Failure" in an Arizona Republic headline. This is the man recently branded a "coward" by Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, and even Kurt Warner joined in with a harsh assessment. "I see a guy who hasn't been able to grasp the system or have confidence in what he's seeing," said Warner, who led the 2008 Cardinals to the Super Bowl. "The game is going too fast, and he's not pulling the trigger."

The Cardinals had no choice but to consider alternatives, and for the moment, they're going with John Skelton, a charismatic type who had some nice moments during the second half of last season. Count on Kolb getting a shot at some point - and elite receiver Larry Fitzgerald wishing he were somewhere else.

The circus: So nice to see everyone on the same page as they critique the New York Jets and their Sanchez-Tim Tebow experiment. Joe Namath, the franchise's most iconic figure, calls it "a publicity stunt. They seem more interested in the headlines than a championship." Meanwhile, there's owner Woody Johnson at the Republican National Convention, telling CNBC, "I think you can never have too much Tebow."

As much as the Jets point to offensive coordinator Tony Sparano as the father of the NFL's modern wildcat offense, it's going to be hilarious every time Tebow trots into the huddle. Gosh, ya think he might get the ball? They're saying Sanchez might as well install a rearview mirror on his left shoulder, just so he doesn't strain his neck.

Sanchez is trying to keep an open mind, willingly befriending his rival and joking with the press that "I'm channeling my inner Tebow." It won't seem so funny when the Jets' glaring weaknesses - particularly the wide receivers and the offensive line - come into play. There's even some talk that Greg McElroy, the third-string quarterback who led Alabama to the national title three years ago, eventually will become the starter. Madness.

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